Chapter 117

After several years apart, Fermin still radiated elegance. His demeanor was gentle, and a smile graced his face.

When he saw Athena, a trace of surprise lit up his eyes. "You're Athena? Quickly, rise."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Athena replied, standing up and expressing her gratitude.

Fermin studied her for a moment, surprise flickering across his face. "Why do I feel… you've changed from how you were before?"

"She has changed indeed, matured now," Nicolas hastily replied with deference. "She's no longer the reckless little girl she used to be."

Fermin gave a soft "oh" and chuckled. "Time flies. I still remember how Athena was as a child. She wasn't this composed back then."

Henry and Eloise grew increasingly uneasy. They didn’t know why Fermin was bringing up Athena’s childhood. But since his visit was clearly unusual, they had no choice but to play along with forced smiles.

Fermin's gaze swept the courtyard, eventually landing on Joseph and the shattered imperial vase. He smiled subtly, then followed Nicolas into the front hall. Just before leaving, he cast Athena a long, meaningful glance.

That glance made her skin crawl.

She couldn’t accompany them into the hall, so she stayed back.

In the front hall, Fermin took the main seat while Henry quickly ordered servants to serve the finest tea. He, Eloise, and Nicolas all sat with him.

The aroma of the coffee filled the room. Fermin gently inhaled and praised, "Excellent."

"We specially prepared it for you," Henry said with flattering enthusiasm.

Fermin nodded in satisfaction. But then his tone shifted, chilling Henry to the bone. "I've always trusted you, Duke Henry, but look at what you've done lately."

His sudden change in tone turned everyone’s face pale. They all dropped to their knees.

"Get up, get up," Fermin said with a smile, but Henry didn't dare rise. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

Seeing this, Fermin chuckled again. "What's wrong? You've made such a mess, and I'm not allowed a little complaint?"

Henry cautiously glanced at him and, seeing no true anger, finally let out a breath of relief.

Thirty thousand silver coins were nothing to Fermin. Even the matter of Joseph breaking an imperial gift could be resolved with a word from him. He was deeply favored by the king. If he were willing to intercede, Joseph could escape punishment.

But Henry knew Fermin was no benevolent man. If he agreed to help, there would certainly be a price.

After praising him again, Henry cautiously asked, "Your Highness is generous and willing to mediate for our house. I'm truly ashamed that I couldn’t repay your grace."

Indeed, flattery had never failed.

Fermin was clearly pleased with Henry's groveling. He smiled lightly. "You exaggerate. It's not that serious. But there is indeed a tricky matter at hand."

"Your Highness, please speak. If it's within my ability, I will serve you wholeheartedly," Henry promised.

Fermin waved a hand. "My uncle is gravely ill. Only the snow pills from Herb Hall can save him. But the miracle healer who made them disappeared three years ago. Recently, I heard whispers that the doctor has resurfaced."

Everyone in the room looked surprised. Henry immediately understood what Fermin was implying. At this critical point in the power struggle, gaining the support of Xander would greatly strengthen Fermin’s position. Xander had been gravely ill, but there were recent rumors of his recovery.

So now Fermin had set his sights on him.

Realizing this, Henry carefully asked, "So Your Highness wishes me to seek out the miracle healer?"

Fermin turned to Nicolas. "Nicolas might have a clue."

"But I've never met the miracle healer. I don't know where he is. I beg Your Highness to enlighten me," Nicolas said nervously.

"Three years ago, I remember seeing a small silver bell on you. Do you recall it?" Fermin reminded him.

Nicolas furrowed his brow in thought and suddenly remembered. There was indeed such a bell, but it had been a gift from Athena. Nicolas thought it was crude and had given it to Willow to play with. But he didn’t understand how it was related to the miracle healer.

Confused, Nicolas voiced his doubts.

Fermin's lazy expression instantly sharpened. "It was Athena who gave it to you?" He burst into laughter. "What a stroke of luck! That silver bell is the pass to enter Herb Hall; if you can enter, you can get the snow pills. It seems Athena must’ve met the miracle healer."

Henry and Eloise were both stunned. "That can't be. Athena never mentioned such a thing," Henry exclaimed.

"Yes, Your Highness. She's just a child. How could she have ties with the miracle healer?" Eloise echoed.

But Fermin was certain. He lightly tapped the table with his fingers and said, "The miracle healer is known for being eccentric and unpredictable. Even the wealthiest can’t get an audience. Maybe he saw something he liked in Athena and gave her the bell."

Henry quickly said, "I'll summon the girl at once and ask her."

But Fermin waved him off. "Now that we know where the bell is, there's no need to summon her." He looked at Nicolas and asked, "So… where is it?"

By now, cold sweat covered Nicolas’s forehead. He tried to stay calm and replied softly, "Forgive me, Your Highness. Back then, Athena was so young. I thought the bell was just a childish trinket, so I gave it to Willow."

Hearing this, Henry and Eloise’s smiles froze on their faces.

Fermin's smile slowly faded. Though he still looked polite, he asked, "And can it be found?"

"I’ll go ask Willow right away," Nicolas quickly said.

Fermin visibly relaxed but didn’t show it openly. "No rush."

Though he said so, the joy in his face had clearly diminished.

Nicolas understood and quickly found an excuse to leave. He jogged all the way to Ivory Grove.

Nona saw him suddenly appear and hurried to greet him. "Lord Nicolas, what brings you here?"

"Where's Willow?" Nicolas, panting and sweaty, didn't wait for an announcement and rushed inside.

Nona hurriedly said, "She is changing clothes. Please wait a moment."

Nicolas stopped in his tracks. His eyes showed impatience, but he sat in the outer room.

Not long after, Willow came out.

"Nicolas, what's happened? Why are you in such a rush?" She actually knew something had happened in the household. But as a young lady, she hadn’t shown herself to avoid causing more chaos for Eloise and Henry.

Now that Nicolas had come, an inexplicable unease crept into her heart. Willow thought, "Did Nicolas find out something?"